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Herbert (Herb) Guhr

d. July 3, 2018

Hillsboro – Herbert (Herb) Guhr, 92, died July 3, 2018 at Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice in Wichita. He was born January 1, 1926 in Hillsboro to Reinhold and Anna (Wedel) Guhr. He married Doris Wiens October 5, 1948 in Hillsboro. Survivors include: wife, Doris Guhr of Hillsboro; sons, Ron (Janie) Guhr of Bakersfield, CA, Gary Guhr of Goessel, Glenn Guhr and Shelia Bristow of Tacoma, WA, Stacey (Nancy) Guhr of Orlando, Florida, Quentin (Chris) Guhr of Rural Hillsboro; daughters, Barbara Wardell of West Warwick, Rhode Island, Carol Guhr of Bakersfield, CA; 10 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Celebration of Life Service Saturday, July 7, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at The Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church in Hillsboro with Pastor Jeremy Matlock and Garvie Schmidt officiating. Family will receive guests from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday at Jost Funeral Home in Hillsboro. Memorials to Gideons in care of Jost Funeral Home P.O. Box 266 Hillsboro, KS 67063. Online condolences at www.jostfuneralhome.com

Life Sketch taken from the Funeral Bulletin

Herbert Guhr was born on January 1, 1926, in Hillsboro, KS to Rheinhold and Anna Wedel Guhr. The family lived on a farm northeast of Lehigh along French Creek. Herb had two brothers, Jacob and Henry, and a sister, Frieda. He lost his mother at the age of 12 and was taken under the wing of his older brother, Jacob.

Herb loved playing baseball and basketball, as well as hunting rabbits and fishing for catfish. In childhood, he had scarlet fever, that left him with health issues that kept him out of military service during World War II.

After high school, he took a half year of college at Bethel College. Then Herb decided to join a crew taking mules to Greece as part of the Marshall Plan. He considered this one of highlights of his life. On the way back, they went through a hurricane that should have sunk the ship.

When he returned, he found that his father had left the farm, so he began hauling milk and eggs for the local creamery. A co-worker tipped him off about a redhead, Doris Eileen Wiens, working in the egg department. After one date, Herb bought her Spanish peanuts and redhots for Valentine’s Day. This led quickly to marriage on October 5, 1948. In the following years, they had five sons – Ron, Gary, Glenn, Stacey, and Quentin – and two daughters – Barb and Carol.

In the late 5os, Herb left the creamery to work for the Coop, hauling gas and propane. About ten years later, he left the Coop with the former manager, Marvin Funk, to form the propane service, F&G Supply. Unfortunately, he developed a back problem, which ended his truck driving career.

In 1975, Herb and Doris bought a hardware store in Canton, KS and moved their family to west of Lehigh. With the recession in the late 70s, Herb was forced to close the hardware store, and he eventually went to work for Sterling Drug in McPherson, KS until the return of back issues forced him into early retirement.

In his retirement, he did odd jobs for Hillsboro Ford, Ron and Pete Duerksen, and others. He loved the friendships forged during this time, but the work became too difficult.

His passions included hunting in his youth and into his 40s, fishing, woodworking, his family, food in the fellowship of friends, and helping his neighbors. He was a long-time member of the Gideon organization and made many trips to local prisons.

He passed peacefully in his sleep at 2:10am on the morning of July 3, 2018 in the company of his wife.

One thought on “Herbert (Herb) Guhr”

I just received the sad news about Herbert Guhr and that he just passed away. I came to live with Herb and Doris in 1994-1995 for a High school exchange year. After growing up on the west coast of Sweden it was a huge change to come to the USA and Hillsboro as a teenager. But the Guhr family welcomed me as a son in their home and before I knew it I felt as much at home in Hillsboro, Kansas as in Gothenburg, Sweden. Herb and I developed a great relationship and had plenty of interesting discussions, for example when Herb travelled to Greece in his youth. Herb also convinced me to try all types of sports I had never done before. And even if I was probably the worst football player in the team Herb came to all games and supported me! Herb was the definition of a kind man and he will always be an important part of my life and an inspiration in many ways! I am thinking of you Doris! I will always carry the memories of the great year we lived together on Grand Ave in Hillsboro